Panamanian authorities intercepted a vessel carrying 13.5 tons of cocaine in the central Pacific Ocean, a historic seizure valued at over 200 million dollars. The National Aeronaval Service captured the Tanzanian-flagged boat named Oceanic Tug near San Jose Island in the Las Perlas Archipelago on Sunday, November 9. This massive drug bust has ignited a public controversy after a former maritime official claimed he sold the vessel last year, distancing himself from the illicit operation.
Official Details of the Maritime Seizure
Officials reported the seizure of 579 packages of cocaine from the Oceanic Tug. Ten foreign nationals were arrested during the operation. The vessel had reportedly sailed from Juradó, in Colombia’s Department of Chocó, with its final destination being the United States. The detained individuals include four Ecuadorians, three Nicaraguans, one Venezuelan, one Peruvian, and one Colombian. All are seasoned mariners between 70 and 73 years old.
They now face formal charges for international drug trafficking and remain in provisional detention. Panamanian authorities assert the drugs were ultimately bound for Mexico before heading to the United States. This route is part of a transnational narcotics pipeline currently under joint investigation by Panama, Colombia, and international anti-drug agencies.
Former Official Denies Ownership of Seized Vessel
The seizure took a controversial turn when the boat was publicly linked to Pablo Torres Chong, who until this week served as a director of the Panama Maritime Chamber. Following media reports, Torres Chong issued a formal statement vehemently denying any current connection to the Oceanic Tug.
I have no type of relationship or link with the mentioned vessel since the year 2023. [Translated from Spanish]
He stated the boat was sold on March 22, 2023, with all corresponding legal formalities completed. Torres Chong further explained that the vessel was subsequently removed from Panama’s Public Vessel Registry. Its registration with the Panama Maritime Authority was definitively canceled, he said, and it no longer flies the Panamanian flag but that of Tanzania.
Complex Paper Trail and Corporate Sale
The former maritime executive provided a detailed chronology of the vessel’s ownership to support his claim. He said the tugboat, then named Bulwark II, was acquired and flagged by the company Dolphing Tugs in December 2022. By March 17, 2023, the vessel’s patent was canceled and its ownership and name were changed.
A provisional patent was issued that same day to a company called Power H Holding Corporation. The sales contract for the vessel was then signed between Power H Holding Corporation, as the seller, and Pacific Tug & Barge Operators, as the buyer. These documents were certified and notarized on March 22, 2023. The boat was finally canceled and withdrawn from the Panamanian registry on May 29, 2024.
Consequently, from the sale made on March 17, 2023, Dolphing Tugs, Inc. maintains no relationship of ownership, operation, or administration with the mentioned vessel. [Translated from Spanish]
This corporate history, involving a holding corporation, forms the basis of his defense.
Internal Investigation and Fallout
Sources within the Panama Maritime Authority confirm the case is now under internal review. They have not ruled out forwarding all information to the Public Ministry for corresponding analysis due to the arrests connected to the vessel. The situation has already prompted significant personal fallout for the former director.
Torres Chong submitted his resignation from the Maritime Chamber in the wake of the incident. He publicly stated his reason for stepping down was to dedicate himself to clearing his name and reputation. His resignation follows the public linking of his former vessel to the multi-million dollar drug shipment.
Panama continues its aggressive patrols against international drug trafficking networks. This seizure represents one of the largest maritime drug busts in the region this year, highlighting the ongoing challenges in policing vast coastal waters. The investigation into the trafficking route and the ultimate beneficiaries of this shipment remains active and international in scope.